AAA Texas Holds March at Texas State Capitol To Remember Victims of Drunk Driving Crashes and Raise Awareness About Preventable DWI Tragedies

(Austin, TX) - AAA Texas in collaboration with the Travis County Underage Drinking Prevention Program will hold the second-annual DWI March for Change at the south steps of the Texas State Capitol on Friday, April 25, 2014 at 2 p.m. The event is FREE and the public is invited to attend. The march will begin after brief remarks from AAA Texas, a DWI crash survivor, local law enforcement and a municipal court judge, which will begin promptly at 2 p.m. Visitor parking around the capitol is limited and on a first come, first served basis.

The DWI March for Change is an opportunity for the community to participate in a silent walk around the capitol to remember all those who have lost their lives in alcohol-involved vehicle crashes. The goal of the march is to raise awareness of the needless loss of lives caused by drinking and driving and to encourage people to take steps to prevent DWI in Texas.

“Death and injury as a result of drunk driving continues to be a problem in our state,” said AAA Texas/New Mexico Representative Doug Shupe. “Too many lives are lost and lives forever changed as a result of something that is entirely preventable. If you plan to drink, make a plan not to drive. It’s that simple.”

According to the Texas Department of Transportation, in 2013, there were 25,158 DUI-alcohol crashes in Texas that resulted in 8,702 serious injuries and 1,022 deaths.

“These statistics illustrate a continuing need for education and outreach on the issues surrounding drunk driving in our state,” said Shupe. “We’re asking for the public’s help to take steps toward preventing drunk driving by walking with us, talking with each other, and making a promise to never drive after drinking alcohol or get into a vehicle with someone who’s been drinking.”

Join AAA in a commitment to driving only while drug and alcohol-free by taking a pledge online at takethepledge.aaa.com.

As North America’s largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides more than 54 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. AAA Texas can be visited on the Internet at AAA.com. Follow AAA Texas on Twitter: @AAATexas and Facebook: www.facebook.com/AAATexas. More resources to help reduce drunk driving can be found at duijusticelink.aaa.com.